GoPro HD HERO2 - First Impressions

GoPro released the new HD HERO2 on Monday, but I got to spend some quality time with the camera over the past couple weeks, and I am pretty impressed. The HD HERO2 has quite a few new features, the most prominent being the addition of an 11 megapixel sensor and a wholly upgraded user interface or menu system. There is a fine line between bumping up the pixel count (11MP) into an extremely small sensor size (.435 inch CMOS), in which the increased pixels per inch (PPI) or pixel density causes noise and loss of detail issues, but in this case, it seems to work just fine. The new 11MP sensor is also enhanced by the addition of a sharper glass lens, both of which result in better clarity and sharpness, and more vibrant and realistic colors.

Other new features: The slow mo 720p at 60 fps (frames per second) resolution, is now joined by 960p at 48 fps and WVGA at 120 fps. The photo section makes use of the 11MB sensor, and gets some fast-action setups of a .5 seconds time-lapse, and an ultra fast burst mode of 10 photos per second. To view on a big-screen TV, it gets a HDMI output, which really makes it handy for watching footage post shooting. The HD HERO2 is compatible with their expansion BacPac add-ons, including the upcoming Wi-Fi BacPac that will have remote management through a small wireless remote, and a smartphone/tablets/computers, and in addition will allow video streaming to devices. The sensor also gets better light sensitivity, bumping it down to .84 V/lux-sec.

The new GoProHD HERO2 retails for $299, and is available in three versions, the Outdoor, Motorsports and Surf. Refer to http://gopro.com/hd-hero2-cameras/

GoPro Launches HD HERO2 Camera

GoPro® Launches HD HERO2® Camera

Announces Wi-Fi Remote Control and Video Streaming 2x More Powerful in Every Way, The HD HERO2 Democratizes Professional Image Capture and Broadcast with Support for Remote Control and Live Video Streaming from Virtually Anywhere to the Web

HALF MOON BAY, CA (October 24, 2011) – GoPro today announced the release of its new HD HERO2® camera. Twice as powerful as GoPro's original HD HERO camera, the HD HERO2 enables consumers and professionals to capture and broadcast their lives most exciting moments in professional quality 1080p HD video and 11 megapixel photos. The new HD HERO2 is now available at GoPro.com, specialty retailers around the world, and at Best Buy for MSRP $299.99.

Arguably the most versatile camera in the world thanks to its innovative mounting system, renowned durability and small form factor, the HD HERO2 surpasses its predecessor with several technology upgrades. The HD HERO2's new processor delivers twice the processing power, taking full advantage of a new high performance 11 megapixel sensor that delivers more than twice the image detail along with professional low light performance. A totally redesigned wide-angle lens was required to take full advantage of the HD HERO2's increased imageprocessing, resulting in a lens thatʼs twice as sharp as the previous model. And with the arrival of GoPro's new Wi-Fi BacPac™ and Wi-Fi Remote products slated for release this winter, the HD HERO2 will enable video remote control via the Wi-Fi Remote, smartphones and devices, tablets and computers as well as enabling live GoPro video broadcast from anywhere there is Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot.

Magura MT8 Brake Review

Magura stunning new MT8 brake is incredibly lightweight (278g w/ 160mm rotor), with great modulation, excellent power and resistance to heat, drag and squeal, which all combine to make it stand out in terms of performance. The high tech works of art use some amazingly innovative production techniques and materials to create a light and strong brake for any type of riding, from cross-country to downhill, and it transcends being categorized within any riding style.

I have always been a big fan of Magura brakes, but they really stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam with the MT series, and they're superb, and highly engineered marvels. Magura spent a lot of time, effort and money to create the MT or Mission Team line of brakes, and although they used their extensive know-how and expertise in brake technology, they seemed to have followed the old German proverb "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water" (das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten). They performed extensive testing on the major brake components, and although each part can stand on its own merit, together they are a symphony of synchronicity! They came up with something called the Performance Faktor, which is a mathematical formula devised by Magura’s design team over two years ago, where the performance is equal to deceleration and modulation plus thermal stability, divided by mass and multiplied by ergonomics (that's a mouth full).

Moots FrosTi Snowbike

The Moots “FROSTI” snowbike will be made in very limited numbers for the coming winter.

That’s right. Moots will be offering a limited run of Moots “FROSTI” snowbikes for the fast approaching winter season. The leaves have or are changing and the cooler weather is just around the corner, which means the snow is not far away. For the first time ever we will be making a small run of these amazing bikes. We are talking 20 or less.

Some of the story:

Several years ago Moots began to experiment with snow bikes, because well, we live where snow is king for a large part of the year and we wanted to see what we could build to get around on the packed out trails that litter our town. We started by building a few of these machines for our good friend and snowbike racer Mike Curiak. From there we built a few for the inside guys here at Moots, morphing what we had learned and following what was quickly dare I say …a standardization of snow bike parts? We also built a show worthy version that made it to the North American Handbuilt Show in Portland Oregon.

So if you love riding packed snow trails during the dead of winter, we are ready to make you a Moots FrosTi.

Pastajet's Interbike 2011 Top Five

Another Interbike show wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, and it was entertaining and tiring, and was fun to catch up with old friends and meet a few new ones, and see all the new products coming out for the following year. The weather was cooler than normal, and we even had a good rainstorm on day 2 of the outdoor portion. Indoors was the usual monstrous mess of booths, and the craziness was increased with the addition of a lower floor of vendors, some of which were part of the health and fitness show. I compiled together a Top 5 lists of products that I found interesting and innovative from this years show:

GoPro Camera Array used for New Rip Curl Boardshort Campaign

GoPro Camera Array used in Commercial Campaign

Building on Company's 3D Synching Technology, GoPro Array Defines New Level of Camera Versatility

HALF MOON BAY, CA (October 10, 2011) - GoPro, the world's leading activity image capture company, today released a new video for international surf brand, Rip Curl, that uses the first ever mobile, waterproof 48 camera array to capture never-before-seen perspectives of two time world champion surfer, Mick Fanning, doing what he does best in the warm waters of the South Pacific. The video highlights the capabilities of the GoPro Camera Array that was used for Rip Curl's upcoming marketing campaign for its Mirage Boardshort and was shot in conjunction with the pioneers of camera array photography, Tim and Callum Macmillan. Additional videos for the Rip Curl campaign featuring this new GoPro Array technology will showcase Rip Curl surfers Owen Wright, Matt Wilkinson, Dillon Perillo and Dean Brady.

Club Ride Apparel - Interbike 2011

Club Ride Apparel had two new items in the men's line, and a slew of new colors for their jerseys. All of their products use technical performance materials, that have excellent wicking and odor properties, and use stretchy material for the utmost in comfort, and movability. Most of their models utilize a hidden full front zipper, with an overlap flap that closes with snaps, for a nice utilitarian usage. They predominantly use a stretchy lightweight polyester for their products, but they also use a bamboo fabric on a few models. It's interesting bike apparel, that encompass men's and women's jerseys and shorts, that are functional, and have enough fashion to allow you to wear it in a normal environment, with a sort of bowling shirt meets western flair, combined together in a nifty package.

Their latest jersey is the Vibe (shown above), which has a simple and understated look, and comes in a Charcoal, Indigo and Maize color. It uses a lightweight, quick drying and wickable polyester, that has great stretch for moving around on a bike. It has the typical hidden front zipper, which is excellent for ventilation, and has a zipper chest and rear pocket.